Air purifier and control method thereof

Abstract

An air purifier and a method for controlling the same, where the air purifier has a uniformly high air-purifying efficiency throughout an overall indoor space having a complicated structure or broad dimensions. The air purifier includes a main body including an air-purifying filter; and a transport unit adapted to move the main body about a cleaning area. The method for controlling the air purifier includes: detecting a pollution level in a cleaning area; comparing the detected pollution level to a first reference value; determining which of a moving purification and a stopped purification is required based on the comparison; performing the stopped purification while the air purifier remains at a first location in the cleaning area when the stopped purification is required; and performing the moving purification while moving the air purifier about the cleaning area when the moving purification is required.

1 . An air purifier comprising: 
 a main body comprising an air-purifying filter; and    a transport unit adapted to move the main body about a cleaning area.    
   
   
       2 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the transport unit comprises powered wheels.  
   
   
       3 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a control unit adapted to control the transport unit to move the main body.  
   
   
       4 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the main body further comprises a fan adapted to pass air through the air-purifying filter.  
   
   
       5 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the main body further comprises an input unit adapted to allow a user to select an operative mode of the air purifier, and a control unit adapted to control the transport unit to move the main body; and    the control unit controls the transport unit to move the main body in accordance with the operative mode.    
   
   
       6 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the operative mode is one of a move mode and a stop mode.  
   
   
       7 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the main body further comprises a pollution level detecting unit adapted to detect a pollution level in the cleaning area, and a control unit adapted to control the transport unit to move the main body; and    the control unit is adapted to analyze an output value of the pollution level detecting unit, and to determine whether or not to control the transport unit to move the main body based upon the analysis.    
   
   
       8 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the control unit is adapted to control the transport unit to stop the main body at a first position in the cleaning area and perform air purification when the pollution level at the first position exceeds a reference value; and    the control unit is adapted to control the transport unit to move the main body about the cleaning area and perform air purification when the pollution level at the first position is less than the reference value.    
   
   
       9 . The air purifier as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the transport unit comprises: 
 wheels;    a power unit adapted to drive the wheels; and    a navigation device adapted to obtain information regarding a moving direction and a moving distance of the main body and obstacles in the cleaning area.    
   
   
       10 . A method for controlling an air purifier, comprising: 
 detecting a pollution level in a cleaning area;    comparing the detected pollution level to a first reference value;    determining which of a moving purification and a stopped purification is required based on the comparison;    performing the stopped purification while the air purifier remains at a first location in the cleaning area when the stopped purification is required; and    performing the moving purification while moving the air purifier about the cleaning area when the moving purification is required.    
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the detecting a pollution level is performed using a pollution level detecting unit.  
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the performing of the stopped purification and the performing of the moving purification comprise driving an air blast fan.  
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the moving of the air purifier comprises driving a transport unit.  
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the transport unit comprises powered wheels.  
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising, when performing the moving purification: 
 detecting a new pollution level at a second position in the cleaning area;    comparing the detected new pollution level to the first reference value;    stopping the air purifier at the first position when the pollution level exceeds the first reference value and performing the stopped purification while the air purifier remains at the second position; and    continuing to perform the moving purification when the pollution level does not exceed the first reference value.    
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 comparing the detected pollution level to a second reference value;    stopping the performing of either stopped purification or moving purification when the pollution level is less than the second reference value; and    moving the air purifier to a standby position.    
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the transport unit includes: 
 wheels;    a power unit adapted to drive the wheels; and    a navigation device adapted to obtain information regarding a moving direction and a moving distance of the main body and obstacles in the cleaning area.